Our time in Alaska, 165 straight days, has come to an end! The final three-week segment was spent in Juneau. We enjoyed the fellowship of the wonderful folks at the Church of the Nazarene and took advantage of every opportunity to experience the beauty and ruggedness of this great state.
The Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier, Douglas Island, and so many other places will forever be etched in our memories. My love for nature was a driving force in spending as much time as I could outside in both rain and sunshine. I was able to have close encounters with black bear, observe spawning salmon, fish for, and catch, Halibut and King Salmon, and have eagles, porcupines, and bear in our back yard.
It seems like when you are in Alaska you are always on the edge of something amazing. You can't wait to see what might lie around the next bend of the road or trail. There is a continued sense of anticipation. It is certainly so when you find yourself on a small bridge crossing a stream filled with spawning salmon in the middle of the forest. It is especially so when you are alone and have no cell service.
Add to this the many wonderful Alaskans that we met, and you have a mix of ministry and adventure that made for an amazing 86 days in the capital city.
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| Douglas Island, Alaska |
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It seems like when you are in Alaska you are always on the edge of something amazing. You can't wait to see what might lie around the next bend of the road or trail. There is a continued sense of anticipation. It is certainly so when you find yourself on a small bridge crossing a stream filled with spawning salmon in the middle of the forest. It is especially so when you are alone and have no cell service.
I stood totally alert, with my head on a swivel, as I watched the trail and the stream in hopes that a bear would decide to have a fish dinner. I really hadn't imagined the tension I would feel when, it dawned on me that, I was alone with no bear spray or weapon. There was always someone else on the narrow bridge hoping for just a glimpse of a big bruin. But not tonight!
As darkness descended on the mountain, and it falls quickly, I calculated my hike time back to my
car. Maybe another ten minutes. Then, it happened.
car. Maybe another ten minutes. Then, it happened.
On the windless day, the top of a tree about 100 yards away began to shake. Could it be? Now the trees shook with increased intensity, and I knew that something big was making its way closer and closer. I stood poised with my camara, but not poised in my emotions.
Suddenly, the somewhat slow approach was aborted and here she came full speed ahead, charging through the stream and trying to catch a tasty Sockeye Salmon. Snapping branches and
throwing shards of water into the air, she rushed through the cascading water. Now, less than twenty yards from my, now seeming less than secure, viewpoint, she skidded to a halt and continued walking slowly my way.
throwing shards of water into the air, she rushed through the cascading water. Now, less than twenty yards from my, now seeming less than secure, viewpoint, she skidded to a halt and continued walking slowly my way.
She ambled under "my" bridge, directly beneath my riveted feet, her silky deep black fur dripping wet and hanging in the shallow water. She continued her journey as if I wasn't even there. In another minute she was gone from sight.
Sometimes life comes at us the same way. We find ourselves wanting a challenge and yet, when it comes, we find ourselves saying "What in the world am I doing here?" However, as frightening as life's adventures are sometimes, they can become incredible moments of abundant reward. If we never take the chance, the risk, we will never experience the blessings.
